How to Form Questions in Korean: A Guide for English Speakers

Basic Structure of Questions in Korean

In Korean, the basic structure for forming questions is quite different from English. Typically, questions can be formed by adding certain particles or by changing the intonation at the end of a sentence.

Using Question Particles

One common way to form questions in Korean is by using question particles such as ㅂ니까/ 습니까 (formal), or 나요, 니 (informal). These particles are appended to verbs to indicate a question.

Examples of Verb Questions

The following examples show how questions can be formed by using different particles based on the level of formality desired:

Using Question Words

Similar to English, Korean has specific question words that help form various types of questions. Here are some common question words used in Korean:

• 뭐 - what
• 어디 - where
• 언제 - when
• 왜 - why
• 어떻게 - how
• 누구 - who

Creating Yes/No Questions

To ask yes/no questions in Korean, a simple rise in intonation at the end of a statement can usually suffice. Additionally, using the verb 있다 for existence, or 이다 for identity, combined with a rising tone, can effectively form yes/no questions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid